About this course

Entry requirements

An Honours degree (at 2:2 or above) preferably relevant to the primary classroom.

GCSEs at Grade C or above in Mathematics and Science and preferably at Grade B in English.

You should have a minimum of four weeks (20 working days) working experience in a primary classroom and show a commitment both to the teaching profession and education in a culturally diverse society.

You must have passed the QTS Professional Skills Tests (Literacy and Numeracy) before the start of the course.

Suitable applicants will be invited for an interview.

A satisfactory Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate and a health check are also required.

PGCE Primary

Months of entry

September

Course content

This course prepares trainee teachers to teach across the full primary age range (3-11) and will develop your personal, professional and intellectual qualities to match those expected of a newly qualified teacher. We emphasise the understanding of teaching in a diverse society by preparing you to teach in a range of contexts. A wide range of teaching methods will be used, including lectures, workshops, group discussions, seminars and tutorials.

The Bradford PGCE was one of the first in the country to provide trainee teachers with the opportunity to work at Masters level. This means that you have the chance of completing the course with credit points equivalent to a third of a Masters degree.

A strength of the course is the way in which theory and practice are related as a result of extensive time spent working with children in two placement schools. We also use our extensive contacts with local schools for day visits during the modules of the course. In addition, we have a series of visiting speakers on a variety of subjects to enhance your understanding of all aspects of primary school life and learning.

Your work in College is continuously assessed. At present, formal assessment includes three assignments, one of which is in the form of a presentation and related work. Your work in school is assessed by our College tutors and trained mentors. This assessment is modelled against the national standards for Qualified Teacher Status

Three assessed modules are covered, each worth 20 Credit points at masters level. These are:

Module 1: Theories That Underpin Teaching and Learning

Module 2: Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Module 3: Educational Philosophy and Vision

On the PGCE Primary you will spend nearly 50% of your course working with children in two placement schools. Each placement begins with a pattern of serial days including periods of observation, work with small groups of children and completing school-based tasks. Serial days lead to blocks of practice with whole classes.

Training must enable trainees to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to teach within the phase for which they are training. Typically, primary training will take place across the 3-7, 5-11 or 7-11 age ranges. No training programme should cover fewer than four school years. (Initial Teacher Training criteria and supporting advice, Department for Education, March 2016).

We have strong partnership links with schools whose staff make a significant contribution to your training. Partnership schools are situated in Bradford and the neighbouring LEAs to give a wide range of experience and to meet the needs of students from across the region.

Fees and funding

UK students

£9,000

Bradford College is committed to delivering quality degrees for affordable fees. We work hard to cut the cost and not the corners on our undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses. You will not be asked to pay tuition fees for the PGCE Primary up front, as you should be eligible for loans to cover the tuition fees and assist with living expenses from Student Finance England. However, please ensure that you have made your application and secured funding for your course prior to registration.

The Student Finance England application system is open for 17/18 applicants now. Apply by the end of May 2017 to ensure your funding is in place for September. If you are not eligible for funding support then you will need to arrange payment of your tuition fees yourself.